Victor Valley College. The Journal. The Bi-Monthly Nursing School and Allied Health Newsletter Letter June 2012 Volume 2 No. 2

Transcription

1 Victor Valley College The Journal The Bi-Monthly Nursing School and Allied Health Newsletter Letter June 2012 Volume 2 No. 2 Making a Difference and Empowering our Community Article By Photo By Jolene Eide Nursing students within VVC serve thousands through various community outreach programs. 1,600 hours a year are dedicated by Victor Valley Colleges ADN program; participants assist with everything from blood drives to health fairs within the High Desert and Inland Empire area, spreading not only knowledge to our community, but also to the participants who volunteer their time. VVC s community outreach is not limited to the nursing students however; graduates and Professors also continue to serve their community by organizing health fairs and health seminars within schools, prisons, and a wide variety of community settings. This involvement empowers nurses to create change by improving health knowledge and also providing valuable resources to individuals that would otherwise go without. Professor Sally Thibeault has been community coordinator for If you ever get the chance to talk to editor Beth Vandom about the VVC Journal, you can t help but notice a contagious enthusiasm about her work. Beth is an NP4 nursing student who took the job of editor in the fall of 2011, when the current version of the journal started a regular publishing schedule. She loves to write, and the journal provided an outlet for that passion. The VVC Journal highlights the the last five years regulating and expanding VVC s involvement in its community to a greater degree each year. With Professor Thibeault s help, hospital, corporate, and religious communities are provided extra man power and knowledge to better serve the public in the areas of disease prevention and health maintenance for the people they serve. Dedicating over 60 hours a semester to community events organization and cultivation, Professor Thibeault s hope is to improve the general knowledge of the participating students as well as give back to the greater community. achievements of the nursing program, its involvement in the community, as well as featuring alumni that started their careers at VVC. Beth hopes that the journal will give pride to those who read it, and encourages alumni to give back to the college that assisted them on their way to being a part of the wonderful profession of nursing. Meet the Editor Story By: Anita Arnold The Victor Valley College Nursing Program also needs the assistance of its current students. CNSA, PEEPS, Student/Faculty meetings, Flo s closet, and the News Letter struggle to keep up with the demands of our growing student body. CNSA has not only provided scholarships for its fellow nursing students, but has also raised $1000 for the March of Dimes Foundation, and continues to raise money for disease prevention, treatment, and research. PEEP s program strives to reach out to fellow students offering tutoring sessions to other nursing students Being the editor of this publication is no small task. From gathering suggestions for articles, creating the basic outline for the issue, to finding writers who will volunteer their time (not to mention the final editing), there is a lot of work to be done. Beth estimates that she spends at least 30 hours each semester working on the journal, free of charge. The Student/ Faculty meetings provide for communication between the faculty and the student body and empower the nursing students to provide change. These meetings also give the faculty a means to communicate their ideals and responsibilities to the greater nursing student body. Flo s closet is a wonderful resource allowing nursing students to donate supplies and resources to one another free of charge and to give back to our growing community. Last but not least the News Letter provides a voice to share the wonderful contributions our small community makes and continues to make within our world. It is my greatest hope that everyone in the nursing program finds something they are passionate about within the nursing community and promotes change not only in the school community, but abroad as well. Empower yourself and your classmates by participating in these wonderful programs and taking pride in all we can do together. but enjoys the process. I think this is one of the most rewarding projects I have volunteered for Beth says. Her pride in her work is obvious. She loves working with people and finds satisfaction in being given an opportunity to speak with so many wonderful RN s that work with us and have begun their careers with VVC. It s very inspiring.

2 Story By Art Provided By: 2011 News in Health Tech Remember all Medical- Surgical patients have mental health needs, and many psychiatric mental health patients have Medical-Surgical needs. This mentioned by Arthur Yeh, RN BSN, is a point of fact noticed even by nursing students during clinical. Whether it be working with someone having thoughts of suicide in the ER or balancing an individual s psych meds with other medications in a local ICU, nurses are exposed to psychiatric nursing every day. As nurses it is our responsibility to be well versed in all aspects of care in order to provide optimal support and advocacy for our patients. For those who wish to focus in on the Mental Health aspect of care hundreds of opportunities arise; ranging from forensic nursing all the way to staff nursing in mental health inpatient units. Anthony Phillips BSN, RN- BC, has been working in behavioral health nursing for most of his nursing career. Mr. Philips currently instructs a clinical rotation at ARMC providing students June 2012 Page 2 Mental Health Nursing from a VVC Perspective from VVC a unique opportunity to assist with the care of patients on 48 hour or longer holds as well as individuals who volunteer to be placed in the facility for stabilization. Mr. Phillips graduated from VVC in 1992 and continues to give back to his school and community. When discussing his role as an educator, Mr. Phillips mentioned, I think that good teaching is giving the right questions instead of the right answers. After starting his career in the ER he began to notice that he enjoyed being able to spend time to speak and work with his patients, and found mental health nursing allows for this interaction to a greater degree. He continues to work in this area of focus due to his enjoyment of helping people indentify issues and to develop better coping strategies. When walking through the various sections within ARMC s Behavioral Health facility, Mr. Phillips exuded a confidence that places those around him at ease. This confidence was not only due to his own comfort in his area of expertise, but has roots in the management of his patients as well. He encourages those pursuing behavioral health to be themselves, be comfortable with themselves, trust your intuition, and emotions. He mentioned this comfort with self puts patients at ease and allows you to work through issues that they may need assistance with. Our own Professor Alice Ramming, RN MSN, mentioned that she initially had no desire to work in the mental health field of nursing despite the fact she received nearly a perfect score on her boards in the subject. After graduating nursing school in 1969 and working in ICU for many years she began to gravitate towards the behavioral health aspect of nursing mentioning that she had been providing mental Flo s Closet is Open! You can now donate your un-needed, outgrown, overly large, or even slightly used scrubs and other nursing items! Books, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, white shoes and scrubs donations are always welcome. Bring Donations to the Allied health building 32 s front desk. If your in need of any of these, please submit a one paragraph letter (be sure to include your process and phone number) to the box in the skills lab that is labeled: Flo s closet request. You may also request to Barbara Eichen at Barbara.Eichen@vvc.edu. Make sure to put Flo s Closet Request in the subject line and don t forget to provide contact information as well. health nursing care even in the ICU. When looking back at her experiences as a mental health nurse she stated that she has grown and is glad to have gone into the mental health field. Professor Ramming continues to work in Loma Linda s Behavioral Health Center as a part-time mental health nurse and has been taking students on clinical rotations there to show them some of the inpatient treatments available to those they serve. Professor Ramming encourages nurses who are going into the behavioral health field to obtain experience in Med/Surg nursing prior to working in mental health so that they will be able to meet the needs of patients with health conditions. After working in the field of Mental Health Nursing for 12 years Professor Ramming states I continue to enjoy talking to people, listening, and supporting others. She feels that it takes special individuals to work in the mental health field. Like most other specialties within our prestigious profession, it s always best to practice in an area that interests you and that you have a passion for. ALUNMI GIVING Your contributions are welcomed. All proceeds help sup-port the student community service projects, pinning ceremony, and the growth and development of the nursing department. Please Contact: The Victor Valley College Foundation in care of the VVC School of Nursing at:

3 June 2012 Page 3 This section is dedicated to highlighting the nursing Alumni of VVC. Their leadership and contributions to the community are worthy of acknowledgement. Previous Psych Prof. Nacey Green (left) and Barbara Victor (right) VVC graduate Barbara Victor, RN ADN, got her start in the nursing field in summer of 1981, when she decided to take a CNA class with a friend. After eight years as a nurse s aide at Victor Valley Hospital, Mrs. Victor decided to go back to school Article By Photo Provided by Professor Sally Thibeault Nursing school is very hard, it s one of the hardest things you will ever do. It s also the most rewarding. There is nothing like helping another human being. Professor Sally Thibeault, RN MSN, believes in continuing to promote excellence in the nursing field. Having worked as a House Supervisor here in the High Desert for several years as well as holding positions as a staff nurse in local ER s and Med/ Surg units she brings an unique perspective to our school s faculty and continues to strive to garner the highest quality of nurses within our community. Professor Thibeault however began her nursing career just like the current students in WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Barbara Victor VVC School of Nursing Class of 1995 for her RN degree. She credits Professor Diane Cline with helping to encourage her to continue her nursing education. Practically every time she saw me she would say You need to go on, says Mrs. Victor, she was a source of great motivation. After graduating from VVC in 1995, Mrs. Victor got her first job at VV hospital in the Med- Surg-oncology unit, where she worked for five years. Mrs. Victor has also worked in the areas of home health, hospice, and psych (when she was in school she won psych nurse of Story By: Anita Arnold Photo By: Ed & Faye Roberts Faculty Corner Dedicated to the Excellence of Nursing the ADN program here at VVC; graduating in 1982, she started in Med/Surg nursing and began working towards her goal of a career in hospital administration. Quickly after finishing her ADN Prof. Thibeault obtained her BSN and MSN eventually achieving two masters degrees; her first was Health Science, then later she returned to school and achieved her Masters in Nursing Education with an emphasis on Gerontology. Professor Thibeault believes strongly in the thought that nursing is both an art and a science, and continues to try to promote graduates that will continue to serve their patients with skill and respect. After working for the year), and eventually came to St Mary s in 99 where she initially worked in the ICU. Her experience at St. Mary s also includes ICU team leader, as well as med-surg and Tele supervisor. Barbara Victor is currently the night shift supervisor at St Mary s hospital, a position which she very much enjoys. The job provides a great deal of variety, and there are always challenges. In her words, there are never two nights alike. Professor Sally Thibeault with a previous clinical group hospital administration for several years she noticed hospitals hiring substandard nurses in order to fill the shortage at the time. This disturbed her greatly and inspired her to return to VVC in order to insure the continued quality of nurses graduating from our local college. She started out her teaching career as a part time clinical instructor, in She then moved to full time, instructing nursing process one before eventually becoming a When asked about her experience at VVC, Mrs. Victor appreciates the well rounded education, the wonderful faculty and the diverse clinical experience. As for new grads, she knows that there is a certain amount of anxiety that comes with starting the job. She mentioned that some of the anxiety will go away, but a bit of it will stay and it is healthy and will keep you aware. Barbara Victor is very enthusiastic about the nursing field. No matter how long you have been a nurse, she says, every day you learn something new. professor for fourth semester. She currently instructs fourth and first semesters assisting with not only the theory section of her students education, but also the community and clinical components. She currently is our school s Community Service Liaison as well as chairs the curriculum committee for the nursing department, allowing her to make needed changes where problems may arise. Professor Thibeault feels strongly that students need to be in nursing because you love it, and care. She encourages all her students past and present to always remember to put yourself in your patient s shoes.

4 Story and Photos Provided By: Chelsea Gallinger For those of you that haven t heard about CNSA, it is an organization of students who are interested in making a difference in their community while in nursing school. The newly elected cabinet is made up of Johanna Estrada; President, Forum Mehta; Vice President, Chelsea Gallinger; Secretary, Hannah Ream; Treasurer, as well as Jessica Sanchez and Katie Wilkinson; Project Coordinators. All of the newly elected officials are looking forward to making a difference in the community. The former cabinet elected in Fall of 2011 are (President) Matty Gunter, (Vice President) Diana Marohn, (Treasure) Dawn Garcia, (Project Coordinators) Kim Burns and Melissa Bommarito, (ASB Representatives) Kristina Konrad and Michelle Story By April Nelson Photo by CNSA is Proud to Continue its Service Aguayo; have all made a tremendous contribution to what CNSA is today. CNSA is proud to have had their assistance and wishes to congratulate them on graduating in June of this year. When the previous cabinet first began attending CNSA meetings the attendance averaged 10 people per meeting including cabinet members. After a great deal of effort and promotion CNSA is proud to report 15 or more members every meeting, even without counting the current and prior cabinet members. The former cabinets have put events into play that include but are not limited to Penny Wars for scholarships, an Angel tree toy drive for the Salvation Army, and a March of Dimes team fundraiser. Without the contribution of the former members, CSNA would not have the ability to reach out to the community in its current capacity. CNSA has several exciting events planned for the current semester and next. We hope to continue to expand Victor Valley College s chapter to better serve the nursing community within as well as the Victor Valley as a whole. With the help of students such as the current and former cabinet members we will continue to make CNSA greater than it has ever been. Please don t be afraid to talk to a member or stop by a meeting, which are held on the first and third Wednesday of every month, if you have any questions. You can also visit our web page at nursing/ca_nursing-studentassociation.shtml Peers Empowering and Educating Peers Program (PEEPs) The Peers Empowering and Educating Peers Program (PEEP s) is one of the many positive reinforcements that have been approved and carried out by Dr. Joseph Morris. It has been designed for nursing students with the intention of providing supplemental learning to those having difficulty with comprehending either the theoretical or clinical concepts of the nursing content. It is organized and arranged by the students to help the students. Fourth semester student Anita Arnold started PEEP s in the spring of 2011 when Dr. Morris piloted the new idea. She started excitedly with a vision in mind I wanted to have a way to help students beyond the classroom lecture. We are all working on this together and everyone has something to offer. Two people can sit in the same lecture and they will each take something different away from it. By sharing everyone learns more. Mrs. Arnold has been the first to take PEEP s as a senior project. With her hours of dedication and commitment to helping others succeed, she has been able to set the foundation of the program stands (From Left to right) Dr. Joseph Morris, Byron White, Brandi Scott, Heidi Tressler, April Nelson, Sherri Frey, Anita Arnold, Jennifer Olguin, and and has set the bar high. This semester the PEEPS program has grown quite a bit, and I ve enjoyed watching it grow. We ve gone June 2012 Page 4 from two tutors last semester to ten this semester, and all of them are really dedicated to helping others they are all really wonderful people. I appreciate their enthusiasm for the project and I love working with them. As the semester comes to an end Anita would like to see the program grow in the future and include things like individual & online help, swapping study tips and materials. All in all, Mrs. Arnold has done so much for the students and is happy to help. When someone tells me that PEEPs has really helped them that makes it all worth it. The student body would like to thank Anita for her commitment! Your hard work has paid off and has helped many!

5 Story and Photo Provided By: Forum Mehta Story and Photo Provided By: Sherri Frey I write this to acknowledge that the success of my academic career has greatly been assisted by the award I received. I want to thank the Health Professions Education Foundation for nominating me as a recipient of the Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship Program. Furthermore, I thank you for laying the foundation for scholarship opportunities and assisting students throughout America in their matriculation through nursing school and higher education. As a token of my gratitude, I will continue to uphold a high Desert Valley Gives Aid to its Future Nurses Do you ever feel like you are lacking exposure and experience during clinical? You re in luck, Desert Valley Hospital provides students every semester with an opportunity to enhance their hands on skills and practice the art of nursing with the use of the Nurse Externship program. Cooperative education instructor, Margaret Dunsmore said this about the extern program; the students in our program really excel, because they have an opportunity to work at the hospital as nurse externs. They get to use their competency skills that they've been signed off on, in their school programs, at the hospital to give them real on the job experiences. I've seen many of the students excel, because they've added this extra dimension to their nursing program. The nurse externship program is a paid program that allows students in 2 nd, 3 rd, or 4 th semester to work under the title of nurse extern once a week, completing a minimum of 75 hours, while meeting set objectives and responsibilities towards a one unit course. Before contacting Margaret, students should make an appointment to meet with Mary Dahl, Director of Med-Surg. Mary oversees and evaluates the nurse externs in the hospital setting. When asked about the extern program she mentioned, the nurse extern program is very simple, it s two fold; One is to improve your hands on ability in nursing so that you can actually 'practice' what you've been taught in school and not just in lab or read it in a book, and second is to help you grow to know us, be comfortable with us, to like what we do and stand for so that you'll come and be a nurse here when you graduate. Dustin Morris (Np2 student extern) believes, The best part of the externship is the opportunity to learn how to do the actual day to day job of nursing in a low pressure supervised arena in which you are able to practice your skills, work on your time management/organizational skills and become comfortable in the all encompassing role of nurse. Another student who has had the generous opportunity to work under the guidance of RNs is Aimee Zimbro (Np4). Amy mentioned being a Nurse extern this semester has been an experience of a lifetime not only did it help me apply my skills, but I have obtained a wealth of knowledge, and it even helped me with the theory component in Nursing School. Jackie Varela (Np4) added, I've loved working as a nurse extern and feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work one on one A Word of Thanks from Sherri Frey standard of excellence and promote the name of the Health Professions Education Foundation to my peers and the greater community. My name is Sherri Frey and I am a first year nursing student at Victor Valley Community College. Some extracurricular activities I am active in; I am a PEEPS (Peers Educating and Empowering Peers) facilitator, a member of the NBNA (National Black Nurses Association), and a member of the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference). Annually, I conduct community service with my church, Emmanuel Temple CME feeding the homeless at the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles. We prepared fruit baskets for convalescent hospitals in the high desert, visiting the sick and shut in members of the congregation. I aspire to improve the health status of diverse cultural groups through excellent nursing care June 2012 Page 5 with a nurse and to collaborate patient care, and also to have been given the opportunity to work in my chosen field. Np3 students (in the photo from left to right) who deserve acknowledgment for giving up 12 hours a day from study time to strive to become a better nurse include Jessica Sanchez, Forum Mehta, Diana Martinez, Cielo Abellar, Stephanie Leon, Khaliyah Fields, and Natalia Gail. Desert Valley Hospital is the only hospital in the area that currently provides this gracious opportunity to students and is also well known for offering scholarships to students through Desert Valley's charitable foundation. Sherri Frey (np2) as well as many other students have been fortunate enough to be touched by Desert Valley's generosity. For more information on the externship program, contact Mary Dahl at Desert Valley Hospital (760) ext 8846 or Margaret Dunsmore at (760) ext For information on Desert Valley's scholarship opportunities, contact Desert Valley's charitable foundation at (760) ext and an encouraging professional attitude. Our attitudes have an impact on patients, their families and healthcare overall so I strive to positively collaborate with the nursing team and develop an impactful professional environment for the patients and employees. My purpose and vision is to be a servant leader and give back to my school, my community and the world. My greatest desire is being able to help others and I hope to one day create a scholarship fund for rising nursing students. Finally I would like to thank Dr. Joseph Morris for his continued support for the Victor Valley College nursing students!

6 June 2012 Page 6 Study, study, study! I know be on the test but we forget its hard (at least for me) but Advice from Peers that our end goal is to become the best knowledge try not to procrastinate, it will come bite you in the butt -Michelle Yeates, Np1 nurse we can be. By studying (as it did to me many times). for yourself, and reading Keep on track with your more than what's required readings because once you from the chapters, you open fall behind its hard or almost up a world of information impossible to catch up. Ask that will give you that edge questions and don't be afraid on your critical thinking and to ask for help, you definitely therefore in the end will help won't be the only one that you on the test as well. doesn't understand a certain -Forum Mehta NP3 topic. -Gina, NP1 Np 1 is a mind game, that you can win! The key to winning is make the time to read that huge book, use resources that are available on the internet and library, find one good study buddy, and take a day to yourself and family. Celebrate little achievements and enjoy the experience. Director: Dr. Joseph Morris, CNS, GNP, PhD Supervising Instructor: Prof. Alice Ramming, RN Editor:, SN NP4 Story Writers:, SN NP4 Anita Arnold, SN NP4 Chelsea Gallinger, SN NP3 Forum Mehta, SN NP3 April Nelson, SN NP3 Sherri Frey, SN NP2 Photographers: Chelsea Gallinger, SN NP3 Jolene Eide, SN NP4 Forum Mehta, SN NP3 Ed and Faye Roberts Sherri Frey, SN NP2 NP2, My advice to my fellow nursing students is: go into each nursing process with a clear mind and don't listen to gossip, continue to study during your breaks, buy an NCLEX-RN review book; to test your understanding, learn to utilize your ATI by reading the online books provided to you under the RN resources; the material simplifies the reading material. Most of all...dedicate at least one day to yourself or to your family without thinking about the nursing program. This program takes a lot out of you mentally and physically. Over studying is just Acknowledgments as detrimental as not studying enough. When you are asked to present your "calendar," make sure you don't fill everyday from , Sun-Sat with study, theory, skills and clinical times. Be reasonable, take at least one day off. I promise, everything will fall into place at sometime during this journey...i know we should never promise, only explore the possibilities with open ended questions...that is something taught in NP1 Kelly Holm NP2 The best advice I believe I can offer is study for yourself and not the test. We often narrow our knowledge by focusing on what's going to This section is to thank those that worked hard to help create and promote this newsletter. Special Thanks to: Don t forget to order your scrubs and other nursing supplies at advanced to help nursing students now and in the future have wonderful graduations. Use the code provided at the left and go to Buy anything at this site with the use of the code and support your fellow nurses. To NP4 Spring 2012 For all that you have done in your community during these last two years. And all you will continue to do as nurses. Anita Arnold For your continued support and advice; not to mention your dedication to your Peers. CSNA For your continued dedication and involvement in your community Donna Derryberry Thank you for your assistance not only to NP4, but the ADN program as a whole. Laura Katnic For your quick and courteous assistance when ever needed News in Health Tech For providing the piece of artwork in the Behavioral health article. Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Victor, Prof. Ramming, and Prof. Thibeault For donating your time and knowledge to the betterment of others who read about your endeavors here. The Roberts, Vandom, and McKinley Families For assisting me (Elizabeth Vandom) so I could continue my dream of becoming a nurse. Don t fall behind, keep up with your reading. - Jennifer Olguin NP4 It is one of the most difficult task to under take, but the product of this program are the best of the best. Every semester is a proud moment in your adventure to becoming an RN. - Jonathan Portillo NP4 Peers Empowering & Educating Peers (PEEPs) The PEEPs program is a volunteer program designed for nursing students enrolled at VVC. The intention of the program is to provide supplemental support to students that are having difficulty with comprehending the theoretical and clinical concepts in nursing for more information visit my PEEPs at KS.COM Or Contact April Nelson afernandez.meridian@yahoo.com